Part of the Wild Mornings series of live streams from the Night League, Hi and Ushuaia Ibiza.

Wild Mornings with Mr Doris

Sydney-based, British born DJ, D-Funk has amassed a fair few achievements in his 25-years on the decks. Making his club debut at The Depot in Bristol in 1995, he’s gone on to DJ all over the world, playing notable sets at Space Ibiza and Ministry Of Sound and released on labels including Sunday Best and Bombstrikes. 

Getting his first set of decks at 14, Doug initially fell for the sounds of jungle and techno before a night dancing to house icon Tony De Vit in 1997 turned him towards the slinkier sounds of house music. 

His DJ career began to take off during his time at university in Wolverhampton where he started to pick up gigs at the Canal Club and Mezzanine, playing alongside DJs including Joey Negro, Mr Fingers, Scott Bond and Lisa Lashes, before a move to the South-Coast town of Bournemouth led him to eventually start his own night ‘Break Da House’ in 2004. 

The night took off, attracting big names including The Stanton Warriors and Plump DJs and eventually led to D-Funk’s first release, the ‘Electrotek’ EP after Dub Pistols headlined one night and Barry Ashworth from the band decided to release Doug’s music on his Westway label. The track found its way onto a TV ad in Portugal, as well as becoming a mainstay on Kiss FM’s breakbeat chart and gave Doug the confidence to pursue a career as a producer as well as a DJ, eventually leading to releases on Adapted Records and Ghetto Funk among countless other labels over the next 15 years. 

Moving to Sydney Australia in 2009, Doug started his label Upstart Music, releasing his own productions alongside tracks from the likes of Crackerz & Jam, Niko & Lyall and Rogue Robot and later started the funk label Grits N Gravy alongside friend and funk producer Philly Blunt, with the label winning the ‘Best Label’ award at Perth Dance Music Awards in 2010. 

Since living in Sydney, Doug has held down residencies at The World Bar and The Standard/Middlebar for the best part of a decade, as well as regular slots at Sash, Ivy, Goros, Hugos and many others. He’s played events for high profile companies such as Blackberry, Telstra, Jagermeister,  Sydney Cricket Ground & Saatchi & Saatchi. But there was still demand for him back on the side of the world and he regularly returned to Europe to play at Space Ibiza (including a set at the penultimate night of Carl Cox’s Revolution party) as well as touring in the UK, Europe, Asia and Canada. 

Now 25 years into his career, Doug is about to mark the 10th anniversary of his label Grits ‘N’ Gravy, with a compilation due this year mixed by himself and Philly Blunt, and has been busy producing house, hip hop and nu-disco with his current production partner Mr Doris.

Website: http://www.dfunk.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dfunkbreaks
Insta: https://www.instagram/dfunkbreaks
Bandcamp: https://d-funk.bandcamp.com/music
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6ZUH9yUJI74EASFVjviNVg

Mr Doris is something of an anomaly in music. A humbling example of what it takes to truly succeed within the framework of multiple fields. With a steadfast work ethic, an obsessively extensive vinyl library and the willingness to pursue the full extents of his roots (Latin, Soul and Jazz), foundation (Funk/Hip-Hop) and future (Electronic/Dance music) without any restraints.

His unique style has seen Mr Doris tour the globe on a regular basis as well as hold down respected residencies for brands such as Defected, Glitterbox, Magic Door (UK/Croatia), Pacha, Space and his most recent tenure at Hï Ibiza.
Production wise, Mr Doris has worked with reggae legend Sizzla, king of beats Nightmares On Wax, musical maestros Groove Armada and jazz greats The Baker Brothers while his tracks have recently been championed by Red Bull and Seth Troxler in promotional campaigns.

When not in the studio or in the booth, Mr Doris is musical director of After Dark (hosting Space’s famous Sunset Terrace for Carl Cox plus many events around the world), Manumission’s project at Lio Ibiza, The Social London (bringing live funk & soul bands to the nations capital), The Vicar’s Picnic & Back of Beyond festivals and world renowned beach restaurant El Chiringuito (Ibiza, Marbella and Dubai).

Mr Doris is as comfortable playing a chilled Balearic set as he is moving the masses on the dance floor or curating a catwalk. Whatever the venue, clientele or time of day, he can truly adapt his sound to fit the listener.

It is this versatility that sees Mr Doris in constant demand around the world.

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